Automatic pole-changer.



F. H. WILLIAMS & c. w. WELOH.

AUTOMATIC POLE CHANGER.

urmonron rum) IAB. e, 1907.

Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

8 SHEETS-SHEET 1- IJV'V NTORS WITNESSES ATTORJVE Y;

F. H. WILLIAMS & O. W. WELCH.

AUTOMATIC POLE CHANGER.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. s, 1907.

931,242. v Patented Aug. 17, 1909.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

INVENTORS.

WITNESSES:

.ETTORNEY.

F. H. WILLIAMS 6:0. W. WELGH. AUTGHATIO POLE CHANGER. APPLIOATIOIPILED nn.a,1iao7.

Patented Aug. 17. 1909. 8 SHEETS-SHEET 8.

' lilg WITNESSES UNITED STATES PATEN T OFFICE.

FRANK H. WILLIAMS AND CHARLES W. WELOH, OF GREENE, NEW YORK.

AUTOMATIC POLE-CHANGER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, FRANK H. lVILLIAMs and CHARLES VJ. lVnLcrr, citizens of the United States, and residents of Greene, in the county of Chenango, in the State of New York, have invented new and useful Improvements in Automatic Pole-Changers, of which the following, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a full, clear, and exact description.

This invention pertains to signaling-apparatus connected o the switch-board of a telephone-exchange and controlled by the operators key for the purpose of ringing the magneto-bells at sub-stations to call subscribers.

The invention relates to polechangers in cluded in the signaling or ringing-circuit and comprising magnetically controlled electric circuit-makers and breakers which are' designed to alternately engage a plurality of electric-contacts in the circuit for the purpose of reversing the direction of the current from the battery or other source through the circuit, such changes in the circuit being produced by'the changes in polarity in the magnet elements.

The object of the present invention is to provide a very eiiicient and reliable ple changing apparatus for the signaling or ringing-circuit of a telephone-system which shall eliminate the use of numerous primary batteries provided to operate the vibrators of pole-changers commonly employed for effecting the ringing of the magneto-bells at sub-stations, thus materially simplifying the system and reducing the expense of maintenance.

Other objects of the invention will be apparent by the novel arrangement and construction of the component parts of our polechanging apparatus as combined with the signaling or ringing-circuit of a telephonesystem, and hereinafter fully described.

In the accompanying drawings Figure l is a diagrammatic view of a telephone-system showing conventionally arranged lines, connections and instruments suiiicient to represent a main station or exchange and two sub-stations, and illustrating our pole-changing apparatus forming part of the signaling or ringing-circuit at the main station: Fig. 2 is an enlarged detail front view of the pole-changer; Fig. 3 is a vertical section taken on the line XX in Fig. 2; Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed March 8, 1907.

Patented Aug. 17', 1909.

Serial No. 361,397.

t is a fragmentary plan view showing the insulating block which supports the two pairs of flexible contact-plates included in the signaling-circuit and designed to be alternately engaged by the circuit-making and breaking rods for changing the direction of the current from the battery through the circuit; Fig. 5 is a further enlarged fragmentary view showing the insulated connection of the circuit-making and breaking rods to the pivoted armature, and Fig. 6 shows our pole-changer having a pulsatingringer combined therewith.

Similar letters and numerals of reference indicate correspondingparts in the various views in the drawings.

designates the main station or cent al otfice of the telephone-system, and B and -C designate two substations.

a a represent the two wires of the line extending from the usual switch-board (not shown) at the main station to substation B, and b7) represent the wires of the line to sub-station C. At each of the substations is shown the well known telephone-receiver 0-, while we have indicated the usual magneto-bells -0 sub-station B only. These two pairs of wires aa and 7)b terminate at the switch-board of the main station in the usual spring-jacks -cZ(Z (Z d respectively, said spring-jacks being designed to receive the plugs ee attached to the usual cords indicated at f-], whereby the operator may effect a connection between either line and switch-board for answering a call from a sub-station and signaling a sub-station in the usual and well known manner.

The circuit at the switch-board may be of any arrangement and construction, an essential part of said circuit being represented in the present instance by the two pairs of wires -gg and 7r]z to which the cords ff are attached, and also wires i are perina- The wires -2 nently connected at one end to the wires h7zand at their other ends they are provided with contact-point jj normally in contact with the ringing-key indicated at K, said key being permanently connected to the wires K denotes the usual listening-key for the operator and which is disposed at the switch-board. This key is shown connected to the wires hh and is designed to engage contact-points ]c7s to which are connected the cords h h of the operators instruments indicated at -O- 1l and -12- denote the wires of the signaling or ringing-circuit, which wires are connected to wires 13 and '14: provided with contact-points 15-16 disposed adjacent to and normally out of contact with the ringing-key K.

Inasmuch as the lines, connections and all other parts hereinbefore described are common and well known in telephone-systems, further description and illustration are unnecessary. Therefore, we will now proceed to describe the construction and operation of our pole-changing apparatus as combined with a telephone-system.

h/L denotes a permanent polarized U-magnet which, in this instance, is supported on a panel m which may be fastened to the switch-board at the main station of the system, or supported in any convenient place adjacent thereto, or the said magnet may be attached directly to the switchboard. Between the poles of this permanent magnet -M is disposed a coil 1- wound to a high resistance upon a long softiron core 2 which is rigidly connected to or mounted at one end on the magnet at the neutral point thereof. This coil is included in a branch or auxiliary circuit comprising the wires x-m connected respectively to the wires -12 and g. The opposite or forward end of the core 2 projects from the coil and upon this end is pivotally mounted an armature 3-. This armature is pivoted at the center of its length, as indicated at .4.-, so as to permit its end portions to be alternately attracted by the respective poles of the permanent magnet M for the purpose shortly explained.

-55 denote a pair of parallel circuit-making and breaking rods which are rigidly secured at one end to the armature 3- at opposite sides of its pivot. Said rods extend forwardly from the armature and are insulated therefrom as indicated at -6 and more clearly illustrated in Fig. 5

of the drawings. These rods are provided respectively with electric-terminals 7 7 to which are connected the wires 89 from the battery 10 of the signaling or ringing-circuit, and thus said rods are included in the circuit.

nected to the contact-plates .1819-, and the wire 12 is connected to the contact: plates l720.

The free end of the circuit-making and.

breaking rod 5- is disposed to vibrate between the contact-plates 1718, and the corresponding end of the other circuit-making and breaking rod -5- is disposed to vibrate between the contact-plates 1920- to change the direction of the current through the signaling-circuit, as will be more fully described.

lVe prefer to fasten the contact-plates 18-19 to a metallic plate 21 which is screwed or otherwise rigidly secured to an insulating block 22 mounted on the panel m or on the switch-board, and fasten the contact-plates -17-20 to separate metallic plates 282 l also secured to the block 22. The plate 21- is provided with a suitable binding-post -25 to which the wire 11 of the signaling or ringingcircuit is fastened, and the plates 23'2l'- are provided with binding-posts 2627- respectively for the connection of the other wire 12 of the circuit.

-2828 denote pins projecting from the insulating block -22 and arranged in pairs between the free end portions of the contact-plates 1718- and 19-20. These pins serve as stops limiting the movements of the plates when they are relieved from pressure of the circuit-making and breaking rods -55 so as to prevent arcing of the current between the plates and resultant burning of the same. The said contact-plates are preferably composed of thin strips of brass and are provided on their free ends with copper tips against which bear heads formed on the contact ends of the rods 55 e prefer to mount the stop pins 2S28 on plates 2929 which are preferably secured to the block 22- by means of screws -3030 or by any other fastening device which will permit the plates to be turned for the purpose of adjusting the pins in relation to the contact-plates.

Having described the construction and arrangement of the component parts of our pole-changing apparatus as associated with a telephone-exchange system, we will now proceed to explain the operation, which is as follows, to wit: Assuming that a party at station C desired to talk with a party at station B, it is obvious that the operation at the main station A will be called when the receiver -0 at station C is removed from the usual hook. Upon receiving the call, the operator actuates the so called listening-key -K as usual, to throw the instruments at O into circuit with the line-wires Z)b extending to the calling station. The operator then actuates the key K whereby the line-Wires bb are cut out at the contacts --j j on the switch-board. The operation of the key K effects a connection between the contacts 15'16, thereby closing the signaling or ringing-circuit which includes the wires ll, 12, w-, and -:0 and also the battery 10 and pole-changing apparatus hereinbefore described. It is understood, of course, that the operator inserts the usual plug c into the springjacks cZ-cZ or other devices on the switchboard pre ious to closing the contactpoints -15-16, in order to connect the wires aa extending to station B with the signaling or ringing-circuit. It is evident, that by closing the contact points 15-16, the current from the battery is caused to flow through the circuit. It is obvious that the armature -3 will rest indifferently in relation to the poles of the permanent magnet M while the circuit is broken. Therefore, assuming that the said armature is rest-ing in contact with the negative pole of the magnet and the circuit is closed by the key K- as aforesaid, it is evident that the current from battery 10 will flow through wire 8, rod 5 contact-plate l8 and wire -11 to switch-board and consequently through the wires a a to station B-, and return from switch-board to the battery through wire 12, contact-plate 20, rod 5 and wire 9. By thus completing the circuit, it is obvious that the current will pass through the high-resistance coil Z owing to its connection to the circuit by the wires .0w as stated and shown in Fig. 1.

The armature 3 being in contact with the negative pole of the permanent magnet M upon completing the signaling or ringing-circuit, as described, it is now evident that the core 2 of the coil will possess a corresponding polarity, owing to the passage of the current through said coil, whereby the armature is attracted by the positive pole of the magnet. This movement of the armature moves the rods 55 out of engagement with the yielding contact-plates l8-20 and thereby breaking the battery-current, and then moves the rods into contact with the contact-plates 1'Tl9 to again close the circuit. The closing of the circuit through the rods 55 and plates 1719 causes the battery-current to flow in reverse direction. It will be evident that, when the armature moves into cont-act with the positive pole of the permanent magnet M, the current in passing through the coil 1, will produce a polarity in the core which corresponds to the said magnet-pole, and thus the armature is attracted by the negative magnet-pole and obviously repelled by the other pole, whereby the direction of the current is again changed. This rapid and alternate making and breaking of the signaling or ringing-circuit through the contact-plates 17l9 and 18-20 by the rods -55 actuated by the vibrating armature, and resultant alternating impulses produced in the signaling-circuit and line-wires aa will obviously effect the ringing of the magneto-bells at station B. hen the operator has succeeded in calling station B, the key K is actuated to cut out the signaling-circuit at the contactpoints 1516, whereby a connection is made at contactpoints jj between the lines aa and -b-Z) extending to the two stations B and C. It will be understood that the aforesaid coil l may be connected to the signaling or ringing-circuit either in series or multiple.

e do not limit ourselves to the association of the pole-changing apparatus with a telephonesystem constructed and arranged as shown in the accompanying drawings. Neither do we wish to be limited to the specific construction and arrangement of the component parts of the pole-changing apparatus, inasmuch as the same is subject to various modifications without departing from the spirit of the invention.

By referring to Fig. (3 of the drawings it will be observed that our described polechanging apparatus may be modified by providing four additional yielding contactplates 3132333at, which are disposed adjacentto the respective contactplates l718 19 20 to be engaged thereby, by which arrangement an alternating current may be transmitted from the latter contact-plates, or a pulsating current may be transmitted from the contact-plates 3l 23384-, thus adapting the apparatus for two-party ringing as will be hereinafter more fully explained, the main object of this modification of the apparatus being to dispense with the use of a separate pulsating ringing-apparatus as now used in telephone systems for the purpose stated. The additional contract-plates 8132-3 34* are arranged in pairs and are disposed adjacent to and parallel with the aforesaid contactplates l718-1920, and they are preferably fastened to plates -3586 37 38 respectively mounted on the insulating block 22. The pair of contactplates 3l32 are placed at opposite sides of the respective contact-plates 17 18- and are adapted to be engaged thereby when the latter are actuated by the rod 5- incident to the vibrations of the armature 3 before the poles of the permanent magnet M. The supporting-plates of the contact-plates are preferably connected by a short wire 39, however this electrical connection between the two contactplates may be elfected by providing a single supporting-plate. The other pair of additional contact-plates -33-34lare arranged at Opposite sides of the respective contactplates -1920 to be engaged thereby when the latter are actuated by the rod 5 These plates 3334= are connected by a wire -ct0. From the respective pairs of contact-plates 31-32 and 33-3% extend two wires 4t14c2- which lead to the switch-board and are designed to be thrown, by means of a regular master-key, into and out of connection with a party-line equipped with bells which are responsive to a pulsating current. The con nectious of the wires t1- t2 to the switch-board are the same as those of the wires -l1-12, and the circuit is to be closed and opened by a key which may be like the key -K, and connection is made with a two-party line by means of the usual plug. Inasmuch as these connections and the key are shown in Fig. 1, further illustration and description are unnecessary. lVheu the ringing-circuit is closed in the manner hereinbefore described, the circuitmaking and breaking rod -5 is actuated by the vibrating armature 3 and serves to alternately move the contact-plates 17 18- into engagement with the respective contact-plates 3132 and simultaneously therewith, the circuit-making and breaking rod -5 is caused to alternately move the contact-plates l9-20 into engagement w'th the respective contact-plates 33 When the armature 3- is attracted by one of the poles of the permanent magnet M as shown in Fig. 6 of the drawings, it is evident that a positive current will flow from the battedes 10- through the rod -5., and then through the contact-plates 1332 and out through the wire 41, and thence return through wire t2, contact-plates 3- l20 and rod5 When the armature is attracted by the other magnet-pole, due to the corresponding polarity produced in the core 2 of the coil l as aforesaid, the rod 5, by engaging the contact-plate -l7, will press the latter against the contact-plate 31 and at the same time the rod 5 will press the contact-plate 19 against the contactplate -33. In this instance the positive current will obviously pass through the rod 5-, contact-plates 1731 and wire t1, and return through the wire .t2, contact-plates -3319 and rod 5 By the described arrangement of parts, it is evident that the short make and break in the signaling or ringing-circuit between the two sets of contactplates will produce rapid pulsations in the current through the wires et1t3, and thus effect a ringing of bells on a line through which the pulsations are sent. The contact-plates 31-32-33 dkare each provided with a stop-pin -43 for limiting the return movement when they are relieved from pressure of the othercontact-plates. It is evident that the pulsating current sent out through the contact-plates 3l32- will always have the same polarity.

Having described our invention, what we claim is 1. In a pole-changing apparatus for the signaling-circuit of a telephone-system, the combination of a permanent polarized U- magnet, a high-resistance coil disposed between the poles of said magnet and having a core connected at one end to the magnet at the neutral point of the latter, an armature pivoted intermediate its ends to the opposite end of the core and having theends disposed so as to be alternately attracted by the magnet-poles, two pairs of insulated electric-contacts having suitable circuit-connections, all of said contacts being in alinement and one set positioned between the contacts of the other set, an adjusting block positioned adjacent each contact and a stop-pin mounted on each block normally engaging a contact and limiting the movement thereof in one direction, a pair of insulated circuitmakers and breakers fastened to the armature at opposite sides of its pivot and provided with electric-terminals for connecting the same with a source of current, said circuit-makers and breakers being each adapted to alternately engage one member of each pair of contacts, and circuit-connections for the aforesaid coil whereby the current is sent through the latter and produces in its core a polarity corresponding to the magnetpole to which the armature has been attracted so as to cause the armature to be attracted to the other magnet-pole, the vibrations of the armature thus eifected causing the circuit-makers and breakers to rapidly reverse the direction of the current through the two pairs of contacts for the purpose set forth.

2. In a pole-changing apparatus for electric-signaling, the combination of a permanent polarized magnet, a battery, a high-resistance coil disposed between the poles of the magnet and having a core connected at one end to thesaid magnet at the neutral point thereof, an armature pivotally supported on the opposite end of the core and adapted to be attracted alternately by the two poles of the magnet, two pairs of yielding electric-contacts insulated apart, all of said contacts being in alinement and one set positioned between the contacts of the other set, an. adjusting block positioned adjacent each contact and a stop-pin mounted on each block normally engaging a contact and limiting the movement thereof in one direction, conductors leading from the respective pairs of contacts, a pair of insulated circuitmaking and breaking rods mounted at one end on the armature at opposite sides of its pivot and connected to the respective terminals of the battery, the free ends of said rods being each disposed to alternately engage one member of each of the two pairs of contacts, auxiliary conductors connecting the coil to the aforesaid conductors, whereby the current in passing through the said coil produces in its core a polarity correspond ing to the magnet-pole to which the armature has been attracted so as to cause the armature to be attracted by the other magnet-pole, the vibrations of the armature thus effected and resultant alternate engagements of the rods with the said contacts causing the battery-current to be rapidly reversed through the said contacts for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination of an electric-circuit comprising two lines and including a bat tery, two sets of contacts connected to the respective lines, all of said contacts being in alinement and one set positioned between the contacts of the other set, an adjusting block positioned adjacent each contact and a stoppin mounted on each block normally engaging a contact and limiting the movement thereof in one direction, a permanent polarized U-magnet, an auxiliary circuit including a high-resistance coil disposed between the poles of the magnet and having a core connected at one end to the magnet at the neutral point of the latter, an armature pivotally mounted on the opposite end of the core, said armature being adapted to be attracted alternately by the poles of the magnet incident to the passage of the electriccurrent through the coil and resultant production of a polarity in the core corresponding to the magnet-pole to which the armature has been attracted, a pair of insulated rods secured to the armature at opposite sides of its pivot and connected respectively to the two terminals of the battery and cooperating with the two sets of contacts, whereby an alternating current is transmitted through one line and a pulsating current is transmitted through the other line as and for the purpose set forth.

FRANK H. \VILLIAMS. CHARLES \V. \VELCH. lVitnesses GEORGE L. PAGE, VILLIAM E. HALL. 

